If you’re looking to make your home more eco-friendly, there are a number of things you can do. One area to focus on is your exterior. By making some simple changes to the way your home’s exterior looks, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and make your home more sustainable. Here are some ideas:
Hey earth muffins! If you have been following this blog for a while now, you will know that I have quite the mason jar collection. It is super easy to opt for glass containers in the kitchen to avoid pesky plastics. When I tell people that I store food in the freezer in mason jars, they are often surprised that you can do that. And you definitely can! In today’s post I will be sharing all the secrets on how to successfully freeze food in glass!
Yes! As I mentioned above, I have very few non-glass containers in my kitchen. Mason jars are a great tool to prevent food waste in the kitchen by popping leftovers into the freezer. Unlike plastic, glass can crack (and even shatter) if it goes from hot to cold or cold to hot too quickly. While you can obviously freeze glass jars, it is important to follow these tips to ensure none of your jars break.
Read More ➥Hey earth muffins! It has been a little bit since I shared a shampoo bar review…. So let’s fix that! 😍 I’ve almost tried every single Lush shampoo at this point, so I figured I would continue my tradition of sharing what I think about the one I’m currently trying out. With the promise of giving you big, beachy hair, is the Seanik bar worth it??
In terms of sustainability, bars are always better than bottles. I love using shampoo bars because you can avoid all packaging waste. Not having a hideous, brightly-colored plastic bottle in your shower is also a huge win. The bar is made of condensed materials, which means it lasts much longer than liquid shampoo because it hasn’t been diluted by water.
Read More ➥Hey earth muffins! Over the past few years, corporations like Amazon have seen a huge rise in business. People love websites like this because they have a ton of options (in every category), are relatively affordable, and get your items to your doorstep in a matter of days. But, is quick and convenient always the best option for the planet? I’d argue it isn’t – would you agree? Let’s get into the not-so-great aspects of the Amazon giant… And tips to avoid shopping on this website!
Hey earth muffins! A great way to reduce food waste it to get yourself a compost bin. If you own a house, condo, or apartment with outside space, there is really no reason to not have some sort of bin. When I purchased my house in December, one of the first things I purchased was this compost bin… And I have been using (and loving) it ever since. Today I will be sharing my thoughts on this compost product to convince you all to start using it as well! 😉
After doing a search of all the backyard compost options, I decided on the IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter from Amazon (affiliate link). It was the bin with the most reviews (almost 15,000 of them!); so, I figured it had been tried out by many other people. The price point is about $100, with it often being on sale for around $80. Because it isn’t as expensive as other bins, I thought it would be a good place to start since I was new to backyard composting.
Read More ➥Hey earth muffins! Have you ever heard about the five love languages? Basically, all people give and receive their love in five different ways. You can take a quiz online to figure out your own expressions of love (if you don’t know already). These “languages” are used whenever you show your love to your partner, family, friends, etc…. So why not use these five love languages to show Mother Earth how much you love her?? ❤️ 🌎 In today’s post I’m going to share easy ways to express your love for each of the different types – let’s jump right into it!
We all know very well about the topic of zero waste, but when we are working towards making a home more energy efficient, there are simple alterations (for example, a LED light bulb), but there are also larger components that you can add to your property. So in terms of design and practicality, what are the best approaches to give your property a better chance of being energy efficient?
You need to look at the doors, windows, loft, and walls of the property and address if they are actually sealed and insulated. Because if you find air seeping through the cracks, insulation will keep your home cool in summer and warm in the winter and ensure that your cooling or heating systems don’t work excessively to regulate the temperature. This is where window panes are often missed opportunities. You can find energy efficient windows near you that will provide an extra element of insulation, as well as additional security for the property. You also need to pay attention to the insulation of the ceilings, floors, walls, and building seals. If you want to be energy efficient you will need to install more insulation than is the bare minimum.
If you want to be more energy efficient in terms of design choices, you need to find the right sustainable materials. There are a wide variety of sustainable building materials you could use to repair and add to your property. These include the following:
If you are upgrading your home or building a new one, sustainable materials can be factored into the overall design to improve energy efficiency, but will also make a big difference in terms of your waste because you are not sending as much of it to incinerators or landfills.
Solar power is often touted as a catch-all solution. It can be very effective, however, you need to consider some of the following:
One of the most commonly discussed aspects of the modern home is having smart meters and lighting systems installed. Smart upgrades can do a lot to make life easier for you, but they can also save money on your energy bills. Smart home devices are useful because they learn your habits and preferences and can make suggestions according to your energy users based on how much you wish to say. Some popular upgrades include the following:
Ensuring that you are able to upgrade to a smart home is not just about saving money but many people may have quibbles with regard to plugging their home into the internet. Many people become so reliant on the internet, but if it goes down that means it may prove to be a problem. Give consideration to your local area and the quality of the internet before you undergo this.
Your appliances might be the problem behind the energy bills. There’s a variety of energy-efficient appliances, such as the aforementioned LED lights, but also you can now purchase energy-efficient washing machines, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, and dishwashers. Finding energy-efficient appliances is far easier these days. Just make sure that they have been certified by Energy Star.
Finally, before you begin remodeling your home, you’ve got to have an inherent understanding of the energy concerns based on your location. If you live in a more temperate climate, you may not need to put as much effort into insulating the property and there could be more effective ways to be more energy efficient in the long run.
If you really want to make your home energy efficient these are some of the best ways to do it, but you can also get an energy audit or assessment so you can have a better understanding of how to improve your energy efficiency.
Hey earth muffins! No doubt about it, wedding season is upon us! The summer months seem to be synonymous with weddings, which means you might find yourself at a ceremony or two this year. 👰♀️ While you obviously have little control if the wedding itself is eco-friendly, there are still ways you can be a sustainable wedding guest! Every small thing counts, so make it a goal of yours to reduce your impact on the planet at all events this summer.
This is one of the easiest ways to be a sustainable wedding guest. Instead of buying a new dress for every wedding, shop your closet and be a proud outfit repeater. Or, borrow something from a friend! If you need to find something more specific, hit up all the secondhand stores in your area. You’d be surprised at how many cute fancy dresses are at the thrift store!
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